Day 8

June 11, 2009

This morning, I decided to use the shelter as a backdrop for C2C4C Update #5.
I, then, continue west on my journey down Town Line Road until I am met by what can only be described by imagining three hobos driving a car down a road to nowhere in the middle of Maine.
The two in the front seat were the only ones to speak and, if I'm not mistaken, they told me their names were Bob and Fred.
(Now, the entertainment value of these names is not lost on this former Philmont trekker, I'll tell you that. As for the rest of you, trust me, it's funny.)
They were not, let's say, of the most coherent mind sets of the legal driving laws I'm sure. But, they insisted on offering me a ride and to come hang out with them at their 'property'. I declined, of course, but enjoyed spending the ensuing time witnessing to them about what God has done for them.
It was an intricate dance of a conversation that involved Fred, the passenger, being very interested in what I had to say while Bob, the driver, was busy trying to describe the time in the 70's that he actually encountered the Alpha and the Omega together, in person. Meanwhile, their backseat buddy continued to occupy himself with whatever 'substance' he was fiddling with. (wink)
In the end, when they finally came to a consensus of an understanding of what I was doing, they were more than a little impressed and taken aback at my mission. And, Bob was so concerned, he gave me a dollar for some food. (Now, that doesn't sound like much but, this is my first 'real' donation to the cause. And, considering the source, I am grateful for such humble beginnings.)
After all of the excitement, I eventually find my way to Route 11 and turn south, where I have my first 'almost' bear encounter.
As I'm walking down the road I hear a car approaching from behind, but it doesn't pass. After half a minute I turn around to see the car stopped in the middle of the road about 50 yards behind me. I start to wonder what this guy's up to but all I can do is continue to hike, considering at this point I'm beginning to run out of daylight and I'm more than a little bit tired.
Eventually, the car approaches and pulls alongside of me and the guy leans out of the window and says, "Hey, did you see that bear on the side of the road back there? That's the biggest one I've ever seen in these parts! It must've been at least 350 pounds!!"
I, of course, informed him that I had not, but I am most appreciative in hearing such news now that I'm looking for a place to camp. So, at this point, I decide that hiking another mile and ditching to the left side of the road might be very appropriate.
This is also the day that I reached the end of Aroostook County. Imagine that, one county down, countless more to go!
And, if the day wasn't exciting enough already, setting up camp near the crest of a hill in the treeline somewhere in Mount Chase, Maine was my official introduction to 'the black flies'. I don't fully know what kind of new evil this is but, again, I say, "Thank God for tents with No See-Um screens!!!"
The sunset was nice but I think I miss the mosquitoes. :(

Day 7

June 10, 2009

Today, I leave the modern porcelain comforts of Room #2 and head west on Route 2.
Once I manage to drag myself to the local Smyrna Mills Post Office, I gladly duck in and send home 8 1/2 pounds worth of goodies. The blessings of such an event can NOT be overestimated!
On the outside of town, I briefly stop to video the C2C4C Update #4. Then, I head west on County Line Road.
At this point, my left heel has been giving me so much trouble that it's now affecting my left knee. And, the pain is quite excruciating with each step. So, with much prayer and whimpering, I gratefully find myself at the 'Roach Farm' Lean-To Shelter along the IAT. (I really hope that's their name and NOT what they do!)
This place ROCKS!
They've got two trailers set up, a nice fire pit, and even a stash of bottled water.
And, not a moment too soon!

Day 6

June 9, 2009

Go west young man!
Today, I get to do just that. It's my first real chance to go in that direction, so it'll be interesting to see what treasures await me yonder way.
My heel is still giving me some trouble as I head out on Ludlow Road. I follow this for several hours until I see what looks to be a homeless man up ahead on the left. As I get closer, he greets me and wants to know all about my travels and such. He says that I'm the first person he's seen on the IAT this year and only a couple of people had done it the year before.
(Now, I realize that I've been traveling pretty much exclusively on roads so far but, unfortunately, that's the route of the IAT in Maine. Bummer, huh? And, not mention, the roads are not lending themselves to be very pedestrian friendly, as of yet.)
Well, as it turns out, my new friend isn't homeless at all. He actually lives on and owns the property. He just doesn't have a house built on it. But, what he does have is pretty amazing. He tells me the locals call him 'Johnny Underground'. That's due to the fact that he has managed to burrow out a cozy little home for himself in the side of the hill. He's got gardens, outdoor bathtubs, an outhouse, sheds, a bicycle, shelves full of books to get him through the winters, you name it, he's got it covered. If I remember correctly, he told me that he hasn't driven a car since the 70's. (by choice, it just got too expensive to put up with)
So, after hanging out with him for a bit, I gave him my copy of Chuck Missler's book, 'Hidden Treasures', so that he would have something extra good to read this winter.
And, as I hiked the next mile west on Ludlow, he came along with me, bare feet and all.
We parted ways as I turned left to pass under the highway and I couldn't help but wonder if he was better off than most.
I finally found myself in Smyrna Mills at the Brookside Restaurant and after having an amazingly satisfying meal, I decided to treat myself to room #2 at their hotel.
(Keep in mind, I haven't showered since I left Zion Bible College. I know, right?)

Day 5

June 8, 2009

Well, after a full day of rest at the Blue Moose, I force myself to get back on the trail.
This time, I decide to follow in the tracks of some ATV trails.
ATV clubs are a REALLY big deal around here and I'm getting REALLY tired of walking on the highway, so the trail is a welcome change.
By the time I start to get in the vicinity of Houlton, I spot a sign that points to the Stardust Motel.
It advertises that you can ride your snowmobile right up to your front door.
I don't quite have one of these, but I figure if it's good enough for them, then I'll give it a shot.
So, with the idea that the road must not be far off, I follow the sign's suggestion in search of Houlton and the Stardust Motel.
After 5 to 10 minutes, I began to think, "I should've bought a squirrel!"
(If this reference troubles you, go rent 'Rat Race'.)
But, thankfully, the trail finally comes out on Highway 1 just at the edge of town and right next to the border patrol.
I've been told that they're pretty strict and I'll probably get harassed quite a few times as I'm so close to Canada. But, so far, they don't seem to care one way or the other.
Which is interesting, considering the time the Canadian Border Patrol accosted me in Detroit and made me delete some of the pictures from my camera. But, that's a different story for a different time.
So, I follow the road south until I come to a Subway right across the street from the Visitor Center and my first Walmart of the trip.
The Subway is in conjunction with a gas station that carries an interesting window washing policy (see photo). Things are a BIT different up in these parts.
I pop into the Walmart to pick up a lighter and some safety pins and I finally get the opportunity to head west.
After only a mile or two, I ditch and pitch to the right of the road, just on the edge of the tree line.
Hopefully, nobody will wake me up in the middle of the night with a shotgun telling me to get off their land.

Day 4

June 7, 2009

It felt SO GOOD to sleep in!
Combining the pain in my heel with the free campsite in back and the free wireless connection, I decide that this is a good time to take a day off.
I'm hoping that by tomorrow, my heel will be more or less 'healed' and I can use all of the remaining day to rest up and work on some more video uploads.
Plus, the food at The Blue Moose ain't half bad, either.
A little pricey, perhaps, but not bad.

Day 3

June 6, 2009

So, while everyone back in Texas is enjoying the 'official' grand opening of the new Dallas Cowboy Stadium with a George Strait concert, I get to hike south on Highway 1 all of the way into Monticello, Maine.
Now, normally, this sounds like an easy thing to do, but just as I get midway into town, something starts to go seriously wrong with my left heel.
It's not a 'hot spot' or a blister, it's something on the inside.
I think it's the result of carrying entirely too much weight in my pack and my foot is literally caving under the pressure.
So, I manage to hobble the rest of the way to the end of town where I joyously find The Blue Moose.
This is the first place on my trip where I'm able to access a wireless internet connection.
So, I use the opportunity to eat some lunch and loiter for a few hours, catching up on youtube, facebook, etc... and finally getting the chance to upload a few videos on-line.
The owner of the restaurant was gracious enough to offer me the back yard of the property to use as a campground and I quickly obliged.
The great thing about that is that I'm also able to pick up the wireless connection all of the way from my tent.
Good deal!

Day 2

June 5, 2009

What a glorious morning to wake up in a lean-to shelter on top of a hill at the foot of a giant windmill.
To start things off, the mosquitoes were so bad I couldn't resist using the firepit to 'smoke em out'.
But, once I got that taken care of, I broke camp and headed down the hill.
I followed the ski lift all of the way down to the resort and continued right through the parking lot all of the way into town.
Believe it or not, I'm actually following the International Appalachian Trail, which leads me straight to the front door of Al's Diner.
I didn't see Richie, Potsy or Chachi, but I did meet a beautiful waitress, named Melissa, whose mom worked right along beside her.
Together, they twisted my arm until I tried my first ever 'Whoopie Pie'. (which, apparently, is all the rage in New England) You'll have to google it.
It was pretty good. Obnoxiously big, but pretty good.
From here, I picked up and hiked south on Highway 1 until I came to the Whited Bible Camp.
The place looked quite accommodating and extremely empty, so I was tempted to duck into the Aroostook Pentecostal Tabernacle and call it a night.
Somehow, it just didn't seem like the thing to do, though, so I kept heading south until I reached Bridgewater, Maine.
Now, from Presque Isle, stretching all of the way south to Houlton, they've built a scale model of our solar system. The sun is located at the University of Maine, while Pluto (though no longer a 'real' planet) is located at the visitor center in Houlton.
So, lo and behold, while in Bridgewater, I was fortunate enough to have my picture taken sitting next to Uranus.
How many of you can say that?
Whoopie pies and Uranus.
That's more than enough excitement in one day!
So, putting that behind me, I was finally able to settle down and turn off to the right of the highway, on a little jeep trail, to 'ditch and pitch'. (ditch the road and pitch a tent)